Work with Food, Fun & Faraway Places®
Hello! I’m so glad you found your way here!
I’m the writer and photographer at Food, Fun & Faraway Places, with a focus on food, fun, and luxury travel.
Though I do live in beautiful, sunny Florida, I can’t seem to stay put for long. I love exploring new places!
Here’s a secret I don’t tell everyone- I didn’t really start traveling until I was 50. Now I’m passionate about seeing the world. All of it! Are you with me?
About Food, Fun & Faraway Places
I began this journey with two parenting websites before I found my niche and created Food, Fun & Faraway Places.
Today I have a reach of over a quarter-million people between my blog and social media channels.
Now that both daughters have graduated and are professional animators in Toronto, I no longer write about parenting or kids. (They are so glad!)
Instead, I share recipes (many have been recreated from my travels) and write about luxury travel and culinary experiences all over the world.
Food, Fun & Faraway Places is thrilled to be number 3 on this list of 50 Best Food Travel blogs to follow in 2023. What an honor to be featured along with so many of my friends and mentors!
Food tourism is huge, and that’s my specialty.
Whether it’s getting photos of mouthwatering dishes in a local restaurant, attending a culinary class, browsing the local markets, or experiencing local street food, this is what sets Food, Fun & Faraway Places apart.
After the visit is over, I do my best to take home pieces of each destination to recreate foods so you can try a little bit of what I experienced.
According to the 2020 report from the Word FoodTravel Association, “Experts predict that the largest growth areas in the next two years will be activities that are exploratory, experimental, and hands-on, where travelers can learn and experiment with new or different foods and drinks.”
A Few Examples
Tower Bridge Dinner, Sacramento, California
I covered this event for The Daily Meal. Tickets are not easy to come by, so if you ever get the chance, don’t hesitate, just go!
Spice Market in Lima, Peru
Visiting the local markets is one of my passions, along with bringing home spices for recreating local dishes. Check out Things to do in Lima Peru.
Exploring the Culinary Scene in Santa Barbara, California
Ordering the Tuna Aguachili at The Black Sheep was a good move. Check out my picks for the best Santa Barbara restaurants.
Rocky Mountaineer Luxury Train
As a Rocky Mountaineer Ambassador, I think I’ve eaten everything on the menu! For more about the food, see Culinary Adventures on Rocky Mountaineer Canada.
Exploring the Food in Panama City Beach, Florida
Always save room for dessert! See best Panama City Beach Restaurants.
Touring Amman, Jordan
Though food is my passion, I’m fascinated by history, culture, and architecture. See my favorite things to do in Amman Jordan.
What do you want to show off in your city? Let’s chat. I’d love to explore your destination and make some new discoveries to share with our readers.
Food, Fun & Faraway Places Awards
Food, Fun & Faraway Places was #1 on the list of the 45 Best Food & Travel Blogs of 2025. I’ve been on this list many times through the years, but never #1. Thank you to all who have been following me on this journey since 2010!
My book, 100 Things To Do in Sarasota Before You Die, was the top-selling soft-cover book for Reedy Press Publishers last year. That was quite an honor! The book was also on Amazon’s bestseller list for Travel in the South. As much as I’d love to think it’s my amazing writing skills, I know it’s the subject. If you haven’t been to the area, check out the best things to do in Sarasota and you’ll see why it’s so popular.
Travel Media Showcase chose the article Best Grapevine Restaurants as their top food-themed travel article for the 2016-2017 season.
Food, Fun & Faraway Places Mentions
We’ve been featured in the following publications:
Focus Features: Taste of Adventure: Food/Travel Bloggers Pay Tribute to The Subject of Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain
Outer Banks of North Carolina website Outer Banks Restaurants.
Parade Magazine 21 Cute Romantic Valentine’s Day Desserts, Best Weight Watchers Crock Pot Recipes, and more.
JohnnyJet.com Travel Style
We3Travel.com Choosing a Walt Disney World Hotel podcast in June 2017
Woman’s Day for Easy Cupcake Recipes
Freelance Writing
I have also written for the following publications.
USA Today Put These on Repeat: 17 Summer Dinner Ideas Everyone Will Love
The Daily Meal Travel Where to find the Best Food in Sacramento
Travelocity Guide to Cabo Golf Courses, 9 Amazing Cabo Restaurants and Bars, Most Scenic Train Trips in the US
Bradenton Magazine, regular contributor
I has also joined the team at Suncoast View, our local morning program, to demonstrate how to pack a carry-on suitcase: How to Pack a Carry-On Like a Pro
A Sampling of Brands we’ve worked with:
Brand Ambassador Partnerships
I’ve worked with the following companies as a Brand Ambassador.
Travelocity Gnational Gnomad
Rocky Mountaineer Ambassador
Tervis Tumbler Ambassador
TripAdvisor Influencer
RaceTrac
Activia
Disney Social Media Mom
Curad
Busch Gardens
Hotel Planner
Anheuser-Busch
Hamilton Beach
HP
You’ll find Kelly sharing on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.
Work with Us On:
- Press Trips
- Sponsored Posts
- Twitter Parties
- Instagram Takeovers
- Social Media Outreach Campaigns
- Brand Ambassador Partnerships
Feel free to contact Kelly at kastilwell@gmail.com.
Kelly is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and International Travel Alliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to collaborate with us on Food, Fun & Faraway Places?
Email us and let us know if you have a destination, event, or product that would be a good fit. Reminder: this site is about food, fun, and travel. Anything else is not a good fit. Thanks for understanding.
Please note, we do not provide in-kind coverage of products.
If you don’t hear back, it’s because I don’t feel your idea is a good fit at this time. I receive so many requests that I cannot respond to them all. Thank you for understanding!
What is a Sponsored Post?
A sponsored post is an article written by a brand or me to promote a product or service. If you are interested in working with me on a sponsored post, please put that in the subject line. A sponsored post is not a guest post. My sponsored post rates begin at $1,000. Thank you!
Want to include a link and photo in an article on your site?
We love being featured! Feel free to use a photo as long as you link back to the actual post. If you’re including a link to a recipe, please do not include the recipe details. Also, please shoot us an email so we can help you promote the article. We appreciate you including us!